O’Malley breaks with other previous mayors, opposes Baltimore Harborplace growth

This rendering shows what Baltimore’s Harborplace would be transformed into, including new conjoined towers with ground-level shops and restaurants, expanded public parks and a revamped waterfront promenade. courtesy

Former Baltimore Mayor and Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley said Saturday that he opposes the proposed redevelopment of the Inner Harbor.

On Tuesday, city residents will vote on Question F, a referendum that would amend the city charter to allow developer MCB Real Estate to build high-rises on land currently zoned for a public park.

“Speaking in my personal capacity as citizen and former Mayor of Baltimore, I am voting against the Inner Harbor referendum Question F — it’s a terrible developer grab of public waterfront parkland,” O’Malley wrote on social media. “The Inner Harbor should be for all.”

Last week, former Mayors Kurt L. Schmoke, Stephanie C. Rawlings-Blake and Bernard C. “Jack” Young said they back the Question F initiative.

With the support of current Mayor Brandon Scott, Harborplace owner MCB Real Estate plans to replace the aging twin shopping and dining pavilions with four taller buildings that would include office space; a conjoined, 32-story apartment tower; and off-street parking. It also would add a park and two-tier promenades, along with realigning roadways.

The estimated $900 million Harborplace project is expected to need $400 million in public funds to redevelop promenades and public spaces, and reconfigure Pratt, Light and Conway streets.

Anne Arundel Circuit Court Judge Catherine Vitale ruled in September that election officials could not certify the results of Question F, but the Supreme Court of Maryland overturned that decision last month.

O’Malley was appointed commissioner of the Social Security Administration last year. He was mayor from 1999 to 2007 and governor from 2007 to 2015.

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